WHALES
& DOLPHINS IN BRITISH SEAS

To most people, whales and
dolphins live in distant oceans. They have an image of the great whales
in the cold polar waters and of dolphins that leap and frolic in warm,
tropical climates. In fact, there are at least 23 species of whale and
dolphin that frequent British waters.

While some areas, such as
Cornwall and Scotland, appear ideal waters for whales and dolphins, they
have also been observed in unlikely places such as the busy shipping lanes
off the Sussex coast. This year there have been many sightings of dolphins
and porpoises along the south coast of Britain.

Wild Cetaceans

Most people that see these
delightful creatures do so by accident, they just happen to be in the right
place at the right time. However, there are places around the British Isles
where you are more likely to see dolphins and whales, than elsewhere.

But even if you do see a
whale or dolphin, how do you distinguish it from the other 80 species found
worldwide? Well, generally speaking, animals over 4 - 5 metres (12 - 15
ft) long are known as whales, and animals smaller than this are called
dolphins and porpoises. Porpoises can be distinguished from dolphins by
their smaller stubby bodies and lack of a visible snout, or beak. Porpoises
also have a small triangular dorsal fin, while dolphins have a larger,
more curved dorsal fin. Size and colour of the animal, spout shape, and
behaviour can also help to identify the animal sighted.

So let us take a closer look
at some of these cetaceans from the common to the more unusual:

Porpoises

The only species of porpoise
recorded in British waters is the Common Porpoise, Phocoena phocoena,
sometimes known as the Harbour Porpoise. This species is also frequently
sighted, due to it living mainly close to the shore. The Common Porpoise
can be sighted off the north west coast of Britain and Ireland, and occasionally
in the English Channel. It is usually found in small groups, rarely grows
larger than 2 metres (6 ft) long and it is a very active species.

Dolphins

There are five species of
true dolphin sighted in British waters. These are the Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops
truncatus, Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis,
Striped
DolphinStenella coeruleoalba, Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
Lagenorhynchus
acutus, and White-beaked Dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris.
The Bottle-nosed Dolphin is the species most frequently seen, often in
groups as it is a very sociable species. Bottle-nosed Dolphins grow to
an average length of 3.1 to 3.7 metres (10-12 ft). The only known breeding
areas around the British Isles for this species are the Moray Firth and
Cardigan Bay.

The Common Dolphin is
widely distributed along the west coast and in the North Sea, and the much
rarer Striped Dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, is found to
the south and west of Britain and Ireland.

Although the main body colour
is dark grey with a white underside, Common Dolphins have distinctive yellow
markings which run along each side of the body, from just above the beak
to level with the dorsal fin. Many species of dolphin have been observed
riding the bow wave of boats, but none more so than the Common Dolphin.

The White-beaked Dolphin
and the Atlantic White-sided Dolphin are very similar looking species.
The White-beaked Dolphin may be observed off the west coast of Ireland
and round to the northern North Sea. The Atlantic White-sided Dolphin is
limited to the north of Scotland and the northern North Sea.

Baleen
Whales

The Fin
Whale, Balaenoptera
physalus, reaches a length of 24 metres (79 ft), and is the second
largest species in the world. They are seen mainly in a sea area from north
Scotland to south-west Ireland. The smaller Minke
Whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, is the species most frequently
observed from land. Again, this species is usually sighted from the Shetland
Isles to southern Ireland.

The Fin and Minke are types
of baleen whale. Instead of teeth, the mouth is filled with baleen plates
which hang down from the roof of the mouth, and are used to sieve the water
for tiny creatures. Baleen is made of fibres with a similar structure to
feathers, nails and claws. Minke Whales have a coarser baleen than some
species and include small fish in their diet.

Toothed
Whales

The Sperm
Whale, Physeter
catodon, is the largest species of toothed whale, reaching 18 metres
(59 ft) and weighing 57 tonnes (male). This whale is capable of diving
to a depth of more than 1000 metres and can remain submerged for over an
hour. A fatty substance in the blood prevents dangerous
nitrogen
bubbles forming in their blood on deep dives, so they are able
to descend to great depths, and return to the surface without decompression.

The Sperm Whale can be seen
off the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland, usually sighted alone. As
they are a deep water species, they are usually only observed from a boat.
The large blunt head and forward angled spout make the Sperm Whale one
of the easiest species to identify. However, because of its lengthy dives
it is hard to spot.Pilot
Whales

The Long-finned Pilot
Whale,
Globicephala melas, is a social species of whale living
in family groups that on occasions may number between 100 and 200 animals.
Pilot Whales migrate north at the end of each year as they follow the squid,
which form the main part of their diet. Although this species has been
killed for many years by the Faroese in a traditional fishery, the Pilot
Whale is one of the few species of cetacean that appears to have increased
in numbers.Orca

The species of cetacean that
most people are surprised to discover inhabits British waters is the Killer
Whale, Orcinus orca. This large member of the dolphin family
is somewhat unfortunately named 'Killer', as it has given this species
a fearsome reputation - even though no records exist to suggest that it
will attack humans.

In some waters, Killer Whales
do supplement their diet with warm-blooded mammals such as seals and dolphins,
and it is this habit that has earned them their name. However, I prefer
to call them by their scientific name - Orca.

Family
Groups

Orcas live in family groups
and are very social. They produce a wide variety of sounds which are used
to navigate, find food and as a social communication that strengthens the
bond between pod members. A male Orca may exceed 9 metres (28 ft) and is
easily identified by its black and white markings and very tall dorsal
fin. Small numbers of Orcas can be found in northern areas of the North
Sea and off Atlantic coasts of the British Isles. Seals are eaten by Orcas
in British waters. They are attacked and killed by knocking the animal
into the air with a flick of the powerful tail. Capable of reaching 55
kph (30 mph), Orcas are the fastest swimmers of all the whale and dolphin
species.

The Risso's Dolphin,
Grampus
griseus, is sometimes mistaken for the Pilot Whale, Globicephala
melas, due to its similar body shape. Risso's Dolphin can be distinguished
from the latter by its grey body colouring which is often criss-crossed
with white scars. Risso's Dolphins are usually solitary or found in small
groups and are widely distributed from the western areas of the English
Channel to the north of Scotland.

Risso's
Dolphin from the Isle of Manshowing
the distinctive scarring on the bodyPhotograph
by Tim Ellis

Cuvier's
Beaked Whales

Cuvier's Beaked Whales,
Ziphius
cavirostris, are a deep water species and are not usually observed
from the shore. A typical characteristic of beaked whales (there are 18
species worldwide) are the two elongated teeth which grow upwards from
the lower half of the beak in males.

The Cuvier's Beaked Whale
has two such teeth which protrude from the tip of the lower jaw. This species
is found in the deep waters of the North Atlantic.

Northern
Bottle-nosed Whale

The Northern Bottle-nosed
Whale, Hyperoodon ampullatus, is also a deep water species.
It is usually observed off the Atlantic coasts of northern Britain and
Ireland, during the summer months. This species has a very pronounced forehead
and in many ways resembles a very large Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Tursiops
truncatus.

Rarities

Other whale and dolphin species
have been recorded on rare occasions in British waters, including the Northern
Right Whale,Eubalaena (=Balaena) glacialis, one
of many species whose populations were decimated by whaling; the Humpbacked
Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, well known for its eerie hunting
song; the Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas; and the Blue
Whale,
Balaenoptera musculus - the largest animal to ever have
roamed the earth.

Humpback
Whales,Megaptera novaeangliae, are rare in British seas, but
have been observed more frequently in recent years. They can be identified
by their large white pectoral fins. From a distance they resemble Fin Whales,
but Humpbacks raise their tails before diving.

Spotting Equipment

Before you start looking
for whales and dolphins, there are a few items of equipment that you will
need. Firstly, a good pair of binoculars and, if possible, a camera with
a telephoto lens, as these will help you with identification. A note book
is also essential, so that you can make a note of any behaviours and anatomical
characteristics such as the shape of the tail and dorsal fin, shape of
spout, body colour etc., all of which will aid identification of the species.
Sometimes, only part of the body is visible.

It is also essential to have
a good guide to Cetaceans, and a rough idea of what species that you are
likely to see in the area that you are observing. Armed with this knowledge
and basic equipment, you will have a much better chance of seeing dolphins
and whales.

If
you find a LIVE stranded or injured whale or dolphin on the beach you must
send for help QUICKLY. A whale or dolphin stranding is an emergency and
the speed of response by a professional rescue team is perhaps the most
crucial factor in determining whether or not an animal can be returned
to the sea alive.

CETACEAall the world's whales, dolphins and
porpoises on one site!species breakdowns, latest news, threats,
shopping, pictures,maps and much much more --- all on
the giants of the deep!CETACEA
- http://www.cetacea.org